Survey

I've seen duct tape used for just a lot of things.  I've fixed leather couch cushions with it, people have made clothing with it, and once, in the middle of winter, I used it to hold a broken mailbox post together.  We couldn't dig a new hole because the ground was frozen.  The duct tape held it up for four or five years before we finally broke down and set a new post.

If the Mayans are correct, the end of the world will come Friday.  Of course, we view it as a reason to have a party and go out with a bang.  We'll be broadcasting from Dukes & Boots Friday evening for the "End of the World as We Know It" party.  Parties are always fun, and who knows? This could be the last one.

Sharee Norfleet, Superintendent of the Pettis County R-V School District, sent a letter to parents regarding the safety of the students Monday afternoon (Dec. 17).  The exact text from that letter is as follows:

Christmas traditions come in all shapes and sizes.  Some are practiced by many while others are unique to specific families.  One of the most time honored of these is the opening of gifts.

My friends will sometimes ask what I want for Christmas.  I always have a hard time answering them.  The material things I would like to have are items that I cannot afford. Since all of my friends are in a similar socioeconomic position as myself, I get uncomfortable talking about presents.  There are a few things I know I don't want though.

We are less than 20 days away from Christmas, and the retail industry is still abuzz over much improved sales over 2011. This week I visited several stores to get my Christmas shopping started.  All of the store employees I talked to all said business was staying brisk this year. It got me to thinking; when you go holiday shopping, what city do you like to go shopping in?

On Saturday, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend and then himself. Now his team wants to recognize him, but what is the right way to do it? Is there one?

Every year, we are bombarded with Christmas music. It is everywhere and takes many forms.  Music in elevators, in stores, on television and yes, on the radio.

My wife and I are just moved to Sedalia this last summer, and we'll be spending our first Christmas in Sedalia this year. We're having family visiting for the holiday, and we're looking forward to spending time with them, but I was hoping we could take them out on Christmas Day and actually do something, rather than just bum around the house all day.

I was talking with Sammy Kershaw this morning about Christmas gifts.  We were reminiscing about the time when we had to put actual thought into the presents we bought for people.  We had to pay attention to their likes and dislikes and find the gift that would tell them that we cared enough to know they would enjoy having that item.  Today we seem to be all about cash and gift cards.  Those items